The ‘CITY OF LONDON’ launched at 1248 hrs to assist a sail-boarder reported to be in trouble just sitting on his board drifting approximately 200 yds offshore at Pagham. The ‘CITY OF LONDON’ arrived on scene at 1305 hrs and found five sail-boarders happily sailing, enjoying the conditions. A quick visual search of the immediate area found nothing untoward. At 1314 hrs Selsey auxiliary coastguards reported sighting a sail lying in the water approximately 100 yds offshore just to the west of Pagham Harbour entrance and within a couple of minutes the sail and mast had been recovered aboard the ‘CITY OF LONDON’. At almost the same time Solent Coastguard reported that the original reported casualty had been confirmed to be safely ashore having jettisoned his mast and sail and then paddling to the beach on his board. At 1320 hrs the ‘CITY OF LONDON’ was released to return to station. Due to weather conditions it was not possible to re-house until 1445 hrs. The ‘CITY OF LONDON’ was reported ready for service at 1515 hrs.
CREW: Martin Rudwick (Coxswain), Willy Pledger (2nd Coxswain), Keith Lintott (Mechanic), Max Gilligan, Colin Pullenger, Peter Delahunty, Dave Applin.
WIND: South South West F7-8. WEATHER: Cloud and rain.